Insider Q & A: Marci Alboher on Career Options after Age 50

Marci Alboher is a VP at Civic Ventures, a nonprofit focused on boomers, work and social purpose. An author and former New York Times careers columnist, she is currently working on a book about encore careers, or careers for professionals age 50 and above that combine purpose, passion, and a paycheck.

We asked her to tell us more.

Tell me about Encore Careers and Civic Ventures

Civic Ventures is a think tank on boomers, work, and social purpose. Encore Careers are work – or continued work – in the second half of life that combines personal meaning and social impact.

What are the myths and realities on career prospects after 50?

Realities: Age discrimination is real. Even very talented people are having a hard time finding opportunities that value their skills and experience. That’s a reality. A myth is that a younger person is always more desirable than an experienced one.

What’s the biggest mistake job seekers typically make in approaching the job market if they are over 40?

Thinking that what worked the last time you looked for a job will work this time. The landscape of work has dramatically changed. If you are not savvy about current trends in your field. If you are not comfortable using social media in the job search; you should work on those things and treat those things as priorities.

People focus too much on online job boards and too little on mining the relationships they already have.

Any strategies you recommend for overcoming perceived employer prejudice or objections?

The best strategy is to be prepared for your interviews and to possess the appropriate skills for the job. And in the non-profit—where we focus—let’s not forget awareness of – and passion for the work that the organization does.

Any resources or steps you recommend job seekers take if they have a dream deferred?

Think about what part of your life that dream might make sense in. Is this the kind of thing you should pursue as a hobby or as a part of your career? One way to figure this out is to craft an experiment where you do some of these things – take a class, insert yourself into a relevant community, start talking to people who already live in the world you are trying to get involved in.

Are there any questions that I haven’t asked that I should be asking? What’s the question and what’s your answer?

What are the most common first steps a person takes to launching an encore career? Volunteering, learning—from taking classes to gathering new skills and reading the right blogs, newsletters, and books—and immersion into a new world.

Actionable advice to move forward (in 150 characters or less)

Take a first step towards your encore. Buy a book, sign up for a class, set up an informational interview. More ideas at www.encore.org.